TRANSFER OF PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF TO PRIVATE CONTRACTORS

Early day motion 976, tabled 11 March 2002 by David Taylor (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 79 members.

That this House notes that tens of thousands of public service staff have been transferred to private contractors through market testing, outsourcing, PFI/PPP, Best Value and housing transfer; records that the TUPE regulations provide only transitional relief for staff pay, conditions and pensions; deplores the results of research from UNISON, the public service union, that nearly all contractors are boosting profits by creating a two tier workforce by cutting the pay, conditions and pensions of new employees; shares the Prime Minister's belief 'that if the impact of contracting out is simply to undermine the terms and conditions of staff, it will not usually lead to a better service'; and believes that the Government should immediately re-instate the UK fair wages resolution and re-sign ILO Convention 94, both repealed in 1983, to ensure that the staff can be protected and that contracting takes place, if at all, on the basis of quality and not at the expense of staff.

Signatures by party: Labour 64, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1.